The scoreboard was largely irrelevant and everybody knew that going into the game. What did matter was that 24 young Bombers were given their chance to show what they have got – some took that opportunity and some didn’t, according to Essendon assistant coach Robert Shaw.
""We put the cards on the table and said it is up to you blokes,"" Essendon assistant coach Robert Shaw said. ""We need to find that next four or five players to put into our senior playing group. Players that can come into the side and help us win in round one against Melbourne.""
""Some of these players have been given ample opportunity over the past couple of seasons in senior company to be able to say to the senior coach that spot is mine – some are kicking his door down while others are still looking for the key.""
With the retirements of Mark Mercuri, Joe Misiti and Sean Wellman, the Essendon pre-season was always going to be about finding long-term replacements for these players. This can be a painful process – as Essendon supporters found out on the weekend – but it is a critical one.
""It is a competitive field. Brent Stanton did well but he had 14 games start on some of the others. His performance was excellent getting about 25 possessions and kicking four goals when the ball was going up the other end all day,"" Shaw said.
""Jason Laycock’s ruckwork and marking towards the end of the last two games has been excellent. We are now looking for Jason to stamp himself earlier in games given his size and strength.
""Kepler Bradley has been playing at centre half back and has undoubted competitiveness and athleticism – the only problem with doing that is running into Whitnall and Richardson and that is a tough initiation. His second half on the weekend was really promising.""
""Nathan Lovett-Murray is developing a couple of different strings to his bow – his second half on the half back line was good. And under enormous pressure, one bloke who looked composed and was playing on a quality player in Nathan Brown, was Ted Richards.""
